Boys Nation 2018 begins Friday in D.C. area

The American Legion

Jul 18, 2018Jul 18, 2018

The 72nd session of American Legion Boys Nation begins Friday as 100 rising high school seniors arrive in Washington, D.C., to represent their respective states in one of the Legion’s premier youth programs.

The group will include two delegates representing the District of Columbia, which has hosted a Boys State program each of the past three years after a nearly 50-year hiatus. This is the first year since the program’s rebirth in D.C. that D.C. Boys State has sent delegates to Boys Nation.

Hawaii is the only state that does not have a current Boys State program, although the state does have a Girls State program sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary.

The delegates will be assigned to either the Federalist or Nationalist party upon their arrival at Marymount University in Arlington, Va. Over the course of the next week, the young men will conduct party conventions and senate sessions, elect a president and vice president, introduce and vote on bills submitted by their peers, and hear from guest speakers. Activities off campus include a tour of the National Mall, meetings with elected officials from their respective states, and dinner at Greenbelt Post 136 in Maryland with special guest National Commander Denise H. Rohan.

View the 2018 Boys Nation agenda here, which is subject to change. And follow the young men throughout the week on www.legion.org/boysnation, which will feature stories, videos and photos highlighting the program, as well as on social media using the hashtag #BoysNation2018.

Boys Nation

At Boys State / Nation, participants learn the rights, privileges and responsibilities of franchised citizens. The training is objective and centers on the structure of city, county and state governments.